As a fan of both Doctor Who and its spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures, I was to devastated to hear the news that Elisabeth Sladen - who played Sarah Jane Smith for 38 years - passed away on 19th April, aged 63.
Lis first appeared in Doctor Who as a companion of Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker's Doctors, and made some guest appearances from 2006 onwards alongside David Tennant. In 2007 she became the star of a new CBBC series, The Sarah Jane Adventures, which saw Sarah Jane working as an investigative journalist, assisted by her adopted son, Luke, and alien supercomputer, Mr Smith.
I first saw Lis in the 2008 Doctor Who story The Stolen Earth/Journey's End, but there were so many other characters - not to mention Daleks - in these episodes that I wasn't able to get to know her character very well. It was while watching The Sarah Jane Adventures that I really began to appreciate her as an actress. Her skill at conveying emotion made Sarah Jane a loveable, diverse and memorable character; brave, cheeky and nurturing. And if the comments of those who knew her are anything to go by, she was just as kind in real life as her on-screen counterpart. With someone as special as Lis in the lead role, it was no wonder that the show became so well-loved, both by its young target audience and adults alike.
Lis was a hero and role model to thousands of children all over the country. She became such a powerful and iconic presence that she seemed indestructable; whatever happened, Sarah Jane was always there.
Never before have I been so affected by the passing of someone I never met. I can't even begin to imagine the loss that must be felt by her family, and everyone who was fortunate enough to have worked with her. My thoughts go out to all of them.
While this is a sad time, we musn't forget to celebrate this great person and her work. Elisabeth Sladen may no longer be with us, but the character she so lovingly created will live in our hearts forever.
